THE WASHINGTON POST

WASHINGTON — My dad figured he had all the time in the world to take care of Rocky. What he didn’t realize was that he needed quite a bit of money too.

My dad has a decent pension from his job as a cafeteria worker at St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital in New York. But all the pet food, veterinarian visits and other expenses are making a dent on his budget. Still, he loves Rocky and won’t give him up. (My mom is not as much of a fan, as Rocky is extremely rambunctious, but she puts up with him to please my dad.)

As the recession deepens and more Americans find themselves without jobs, homes and much disposable income, they are struggling to not only take care of themselves, but their pets as well.

In one sign that pet owners are cutting costs, Kalorama Information, a life sciences market research firm, found that more pet owners were forgoing visits to the veterinarian and buying prescription drugs in favor of over the counter medicines. The firm estimates that the over-the-counter products industry will grow 5.2 percent annually until 2014.

And according to Petfinder.com, the largest online database of adoptable pets, 84 percent of the 700 shelters and rescue groups it surveyed across the country had pets surrendered to them due to foreclosures, job losses or other financial distress.

But if you are having trouble keeping up with your pet’s expenses and don’t want to give him or her up, there are ways you can cut costs.

For instance, a friend got sick of paying $60 plus tip four times a year to have her cocker spaniel groomed. So she bought a pair of professional dog clippers online for $200 (You can probably find cheaper ones, she admits). It came with DVD instructions. She also surfed Web sites for tips on cutting dog hair. “The clippers paid for themselves in less than a year,” she said.

Petfinder.com has other tips to offer. I thought I’d share them:

• Give your pet a thrifty makeover: In a healthy economy, a dog with a Burberry collar — a real one! — would not have been a rare sighting. But do you really have to pay top dollar to dress your dog? Do you think your dog cares much? Plenty of stores and online shops offer discounts on pet fashion items. You can even check out thrift stores.
• Find food deals: Use coupons for premium food or slowly transition your pet to a less expensive, yet still high-quality brand. Buy food in bulk to save cash.
• Search for low-cost medical services: Many clinics offer low-cost vaccinations, spay and neutering services. Make sure the clinic is recommended by a friend, vet or other professional.
• Consider pet insurance: This is not a good option for everyone, but it could save you money if you have an elderly or chronically ill pet. Research various plans and compare the benefits versus the costs.